Annan outlines plan for major UN reforms News
Annan outlines plan for major UN reforms

[JURIST] UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan [JURIST Newsmaker news archive] addressed the General Assembly Monday on his plans for UN and international reform. Annan stressed that the proposals in his report entitled In Larger Freedom [official text], released Sunday, were a complete package and that other reforms should not be added piecemeal. Institutionally, Annan called for expanding the membership of the Security Council from 15 to 24 members, and establishing a new Human Rights Council to replace the current Commission on Human Rights [official site], which Annan characterized as an organization of "declining credibility and professionalism." He also emphasized the importance of greater transparency in Secretariat operations. The UN News Service has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.